• Home
  • About
  • Join ELB
    • Become an Interim Board Member
  • Events
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Mentorship
    • Meet Our Mentors
    • Mentorship Overview
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Join ELB
    • Become an Interim Board Member
  • Events
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Mentorship
    • Meet Our Mentors
    • Mentorship Overview
  • Contact

Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world - Robert McKee

Growing Native Plants from Seed

1/18/2023

0 Comments

 
By Shelby Gibson
​
While the weather may not be a good indication, now is the perfect time to start the process of growing many of Ontario’s native plants. Growing native plants is becoming an increasingly important skill as more restoration projects focus on growing native species, and as home gardeners try to support declining pollinator populations. There is an increasing interest in growing native plants, however growing them is different from many other commonly grown garden plants.
Picture
A variety of native plant seeds being prepared for cold stratification in the fridge.
​When growing native plants from seeds germination rates will be partially determined by the method of seed preparation used. Many native plant seeds need to be started in the fall or winter. There are various methods of preparation which are used to break the seeds dormancy and encourage germination. A process called cold stratification is used to mimic outdoor conditions that the plant would experience in its natural environment. This means placing the plants in the fridge for a period of time prior to germination (e.g. 60 days) inside a plastic bag or container. The length of time the plants undergo cold stratification varies between species.
Picture
Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) benefits from cold stratification.
​Another factor is moisture, meaning some plants need to undergo cold moist stratification. In this case, a source of moisture, such as a damp paper towel, is placed in the container or bag with the seeds during stratification. 
Picture
Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) benefits from cold moist stratification.
Yet another type of preparation required by some seeds is scarification, where the outer layer of the seed needs to be physically broken down in order for germination to occur. This can be done with items such as sandpaper. After their preparation period, native plant seeds can be started in a soil mixture in pots or trays. Some require being placed inside the soil while others require simply being sprinkled on top of the soil.
Picture
Common bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) requires scarification.
​The diversity of ways to start native plant seeds represents the great diversity of native plant species the seeds produce. Diversity in methods of preparation and growing means that native plants can be somewhat more complicated to get going. It is important to learn the requirements of each plant prior to beginning in order to ensure that each particular species is prepared correctly. This will lead to increased success with germination and eventually with transplanting the seedlings outdoors. Healthy seedlings are important to the success of planting and restoration projects, and therefore the skill of growing native plant seedlings is important as well. Growing native plants from seeds can be a highly satisfying experience, with the added bonus of providing food for some of Ontario’s native fauna! 
Picture
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) does not require scarification or stratification.
​Helpful Resources:
 
Native Plant Network – Propagation Protocols; https://npn.rngr.net/propagation/protocols  
 
Indigiscapes.com – A Native Plant Propagation Guide and Nursery Model; https://indigescapes.com/blog/printed-version.
 
North American Native Plant Society – Indoor Native Seed Stratification; https://nanps.org/96358-2/.
 
And always be sure to follow the ethics of seed collection:
 
North American Native Plant Society - Seed Collecting; https://nanps.org/seed-collecting/.
 
Blooming Boulevards - Seed Collectors Code of Ethics; http://www.bloomingboulevards.org/ethical-standards-forr-naseed-collecting. 
Picture
About the Author

Shelby Gibson (B.Sc., M.E.S.) is a PhD Candidate at York University using a biocultural lens to further understand  plant-pollinator interactions. Shelby's research focuses on native medicine plants and other culturally significant plant species. Shelby is interested in solving conservation-related problems using a social-ecological perspective. Follow along on Twitter to keep up with research updates! (@GibsShelby).   

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    ELB Members

    Blogs are written by ELB members who want to share their stories about Ontario's biodiversity.

    Interested in sharing your story?
    ​Contact el4biodiversity@gmail.com.

    Archives

    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016

    Categories

    All
    Amphibian
    Bats
    Biodiversity
    Butterflies
    Conservation
    COP13
    Fish
    Forests
    Invasive Species
    Lakes
    Land Conservation
    Plastic Free
    Research
    Winter Wildlife
    World Water Day
    Zero Waste

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly